Program News

The Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII)

The Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII) was created as a partnership between the State of Maryland and five Maryland academic research institutions (Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland College Park, University of Maryland Baltimore and University of Maryland Baltimore County.) The program is designed to promote commercialization of research conducted in the partnership universities and leverage each institution’s strengths. Click to view Funded Projects.

Overview

The Innovation Commercialization Program was created to foster the transition of promising technologies having significant commercial potential from Qualifying Universities, where they were discovered, to the commercial sector, where they can be developed into products and services that meet identified market needs. Specifically, it is the intent of the Program to foster the commercialization of such technologies through technology validation, market assessment, and the creation of start-up companies in Maryland based on a technology from a Qualified University (a University Start-up), and to accomplish this through collaborations between various schools, departments, and institutions within and among the Qualifying Universities and among other research organizations in the State.

Eligible Recipients

All Qualifying Universities are eligible to apply for funding for Phase I and Phase II of the Program. Faculty from Qualifying Universities, and other entrepreneurs, interested in creating a University Start-up are also eligible for Phase II of the Program. University Start-ups: (i) that have licensed technologies from a Qualifying University within twelve (12) months of applying for a Program award; and (ii) that are located in Maryland; are eligible for Phase III funding from the Program. In all Phases, proposals must be directed to the commercialization of a technology or group of technologies: (i) owned by a Qualifying University; (ii) disclosed to a Qualifying University’s technology transfer office (TTO); and (iii) for which there exists appropriate intellectual property protection. Each applicant must also work with a MII Site Miner prior to application submission.

Site Miners

Site Miners are individuals selected by the MII program to assist start-ups and faculty in the process of submitting a strong business-oriented application, focused on commercialization. These individuals work as liaisons between the applicant and the MII program, providing valuable input and feedback prior to submission of an MII application.

• The MII program requires each applicant to engage with a Site Miner a minimum of two weeks prior to application submission. Involving a Site Miner early in the application process increases an applicant’s odds of success.

• Site Miners are the ‘champions’ for each application during the review process and are expected to present each application at the review committee meeting.

• Each application must include this letter of support, signed by a Site Miner, in order to meet compliance requirements.

• If you do not know your Site Miner’s name, please email jhammaker@tedco.md for assistance.

Investment Conditions

Subject to meeting the Program requirements, awards of up to $215,000, which is the maximum award for projects spanning all three Phases of the Program, may be made for a project at a single Qualifying University (a “Sole Application”). A joint award may be made to two or more Qualifying Universities submitting a joint proposal and may total up to $270,000.

Application Process

Applications may be submitted at any time and will be reviewed every other month. Complete Initial Applications, Resubmissions, and Transition Requests are due by 5:00 p.m. on the 1st business day of each month, and will be considered in the next review cycle. Click to view application deadlines..

MII Board

For a list of the current MII Board members and meeting minutes click here.